How to Play Guitar in the Key of G-Sharp/A-Flat

The key of G-sharp/A-flat is not a very common key in guitar-driven music. It can, however, be used to make a nice transition from the keys of G or F-sharp.

Things You'll Need

• Guitar Amplifiers
• Guitar Cables
• Guitar Cases
• Guitar Picks
• Guitar Slide
• Guitar Stands
• Guitar Straps
• Guitars
• Metronome
• Set Of Guitar Strings
• Sheet Music For Guitar

Instructions

The G-sharp/A-flat Chord

1. Review and memorize the names of the strings. Lowest to highest, they are E-A-D-G-B-E.

2. Lay your index finger firmly across all the strings on the fourth fret.

3. Place your middle finger on the fifth fret of the G string.

4. Place your pinky on the sixth fret of the D string.

5. Place your ring finger on the sixth fret of the A string.

6. Strum the chord downward, lowest strings toward the highest.

The C-sharp/D-flat, D-sharp/E-flat and E-sharp/F Minor Chords

1. Lay your index finger across the fourth fret, pressing down firmly on all of the strings to begin the C-sharp/D-flat chord.

2. Place your middle finger on the sixth fret of the D string.

3. Place your ring finger on the sixth fret of the G string.

4. Place your pinky on the sixth fret of the B string.

5. Strum the strings downward to play the C-sharp/D-flat chord.

6. Lay your index finger across the sixth fret, pressing down firmly on all of the strings to begin the D-sharp/E-flat chord.

7. Place your middle finger on the eighth fret of the D string.

8. Place your ring finger on the eighth fret of the G string.

9. Place your pinky on the eighth fret of the B string.

10. Strum the strings downward to play the D-sharp/E-flat chord.

11. Lay your index finger across all the strings on the first fret firmly to begin the E-sharp/F Minor chord.

12. Place your pinky on the third fret of the D string.

13. Place your ring finger on the third fret of the A string.

14. Strum the strings downward to play the E-sharp/F Minor chord.

The Key of G-sharp/A-flat

1. Freely strum the sequence G-sharp/A-flat, C-sharp/D-flat, D-sharp/E-flat. Disregard tempo and meter for now.

2. Strum each chord four times repeating the sequence of G-sharp/A-flat, C-sharp/D-flat, D-sharp/E-flat.

3. Strum G-sharp/A-flat four times, C-sharp/D-flat two times, and D-sharp/E-flat two times and repeat.

4. Repeat Step 23 while keeping a steady tempo. Use a metronome if accessible.

5. Strum G-sharp/A-flat four times, C-sharp/D-flat two times, and D-sharp/E-flat four times.

6. Strum each chord two times.

7. Strum G-sharp/A-flat two times, C-sharp/D-flat two times, E-sharp/F Minor four times, and D-sharp/E-flat four times.

8. Experiment with your own variations and progressions.

Tips & Warnings

• It is very important to keep your index finger firmly against the fret board for all the chords in this key. All notes should sound out equally and without a buzzing sound.

• Instead of stretching three fingers out over the sixth fret, you can bend your ring finger across the sixth fret of the D, G, and B strings for the C-sharp/D-flat chord.

• Instead of stretching three fingers out over the eighth fret, you can bend your ring finger across the eighth fret of the D, G, and B strings for the D-sharp/E-flat chord.

• This key is very difficult to learn. Make sure you have plenty of experience playing barre chords before trying to master G-sharp/A-flat.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish